Online Gaming Bill 2025 Passed: E-Sports Boosted, Real-Money Gaming Banned
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On August 20, 2025, the Lok Sabha passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, marking a landmark moment for India’s burgeoning gaming industry. The legislation formally endorses e-sports, educational, and social gaming, recognizing them as safe and skill-focused digital entertainment options. Conversely, it enforces a nationwide ban on real-money gaming, including betting, gambling, and fantasy apps, all of which are now prohibited—including their advertising and monetary facilitation.
A National e-Sports Authority will be established to regulate, promote, and monitor the sector, ensuring structured development, transparency, and consumer protection. The legislation also targets the vulnerabilities of youth and other at-risk groups, aiming to curb addiction, financial fraud, and other socio-economic harms.
The punitive framework is strong: offering or facilitating real-money gaming can attract up to three years in prison and ₹1 crore fine, with harsher penalties—up to five years and ₹2 crore—for repeat offenders.
MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan emphasized that the bill is not intended to suppress e-sports; rather, it aims to reinforce legitimate, skill-based gaming while curbing exploitative, money-driven platforms.
While the e-sports and casual gaming sectors welcomed the move—anticipating clearer regulation and growth—the bill may significantly disrupt the real-money gaming industry and its associated financial flows and sponsorships.
In summary, the Online Gaming Bill, 2025 sets a new legal framework that nurtures responsible digital gaming while cracking down on gambling-like activities—balancing innovation and protection as the industry evolves.
